Barbell Lock Collar

ABSTRACT

The present example provides a barbell lock collar that installs axially on a barbell bar. Axially directed pressure on the barbell lock collar causes curved shoes on the interior of the barbell lock collar to engage or disengage through radial motion of the curved shoes. Axial motion also causes a visual indicator to show if the barbell lock collar is engaged or disengaged, as little force is required to operate the barbell lock collar.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/168,966 filed Mar. 31, 2021, the contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates generally to exercise equipment and morespecifically to devices to retain weights on a barbell.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 shows conventional barbell collars 50, 51, 52, and a collarinstalled on a barbell 53. A barbell is a piece of exercise equipmentthat may be used in weight training, bodybuilding, weightlifting,powerlifting or the like. It may consist of a long bar, usually withweights attached at each end. The dumbbell is the shorter version of thebarbell that is intended for one handed operation (verses 2 handedoperation for the barbell).

Barbells may range in length from 4-8 feet in length. The centralportion of the bar may vary in diameter from typically 25 mm (0.98 in)to 50 mm (1.96 in). The bar is often engraved with a knurled crosshatchpattern to help lifters maintain a solid grip. The bar can be straight,or zig-zagged as in the case of an EZ-Curl bar. Other shapes such as atrap bar and the like are all possible. Whatever the shape or length ofthe bar, a common feature is at the ends of the bar provision is made toadd or remove weight plates.

Weight plates typically slide onto the outer portions of the bar toincrease or decrease the desired total weight 53. On the inside of thebar the plates are often held in place by a protrusion formed in the barwith a removable collar 50, 51, 52 on the outside allowing the weightplates to be changed. Typically collars providing a spring force 50, ora set screw arrangement clamping the collar to the bar 51, 52 may beused. Alternatively two collars disposed on either side of the weightplate or plates may be used to hold the weight plates in position.

Collars 50, 51, 52 or other retaining devices are used to prevent platesfrom moving outward unevenly so that the lifter does not experienceuneven force. Typical collars 50, 51, 52 can be of any material,including metal and the like can weigh up to around 5 pounds each. Tochange weight plates the collar must be removed, a new weight plate orplates loaded and the collar installed to hold the weight plates inplace. Problems with typical collars 50, 51, 52 include speed ofinstillation, and holding power. Installing a typical collar 51, 52typically requires the attendant to undo or unscrew a retainingmechanism, and then remove or apply the collar, or to compress a spring50 and slide it down the bar while being held open. Typically thesecureness of the connection depends on visual inspection, and how tightthe attendant can fasten a screw. Spring loaded collars 50 can tend tolose their holding power after time.

It would be advantageous to have a collar that reliably secures theweight plates in place, is easy to remove, and provides visualverification that the collar is engaged.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in orderto provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identifykey/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of theinvention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed hereinin a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description thatis presented later.

The present example provides a barbell lock collar that installs axiallyon a barbell bar. Axially directed pressure on a sleeve causes curvedpads on the interior of the barbell lock collar to engage or disengagethrough radial motion of the curved pads. Axial motion of the sleevealso causes a visual indicator to show if the barbell lock collar isengaged or disengaged. Typically little force is required to operate thebarbell lock collar as it may utilize magnetic force to aid inactivation.

Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be better understood from the followingdetailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 shows conventional collars, and a collar installed on a barbell.

FIG. 2 shows an inclined view of a barbell lock collar.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the barbell lock collar.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the barbell lock collar.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the barbell lock collar, which is the sameas the right and left views.

FIG. 6 shows an edge view of the barbell lock collar in the lockedposition.

FIG. 7 shows an edge view of the barbell lock collar in the un-lockedposition.

FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view A-A of the barbell lock collar ofFIG. 3 in an un-locked position and identifying internal components.

FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of the barbell lock collar in thelocked position showing component movement to lock the barbell lockcollar.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of the barbell lock collar.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the brake assembly of the barbell lockcollar.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of the brake assembly of the barbell lockcollar.

FIGS. 13A-F shows an orthographic projection drawing of the shoe of thebrake assembly of the barbell lock collar.

FIGS. 14 A-F shows an orthographic projection drawing of the mount ofthe brake assembly of the barbell lock collar.

FIG. 15 shows a sectional side view of a brake assembly of the barbelllock collar in an un-locked position.

FIG. 16 shows a sectional side view of a brake assembly of the barbelllock collar in a locked position.

FIG. 17 shows a top view of the sleeve.

FIG. 18 shows the section view B-B of FIG. 17.

FIGS. 19A-C shows a three view drawing of the hub.

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is notintended to represent the only forms in which the present example may beconstructed or utilized. The examples below describe a barbell lockcollar. Although the present examples are described and illustratedherein as being implemented in a barbell system, the system described isprovided as an example and not a limitation. As those skilled in the artwill appreciate, the present examples are suitable for application in avariety of different types of dumbbells, trap bars, E-Z curl bars, orthe like.

The barbell lock collar as described herein is:

1. easy to slide on and off with one hand;

2. has a quick release sleeve;

3. holds a heavy load easily with self-clamping mechanism, which clampstighter as load is increased;

4. stays tight against weight plates, even when dropping the barbell,due to its unique self-adjusting action. The barbell lock collar tendsto snug to the weight plates under shock load when dropping the barbell;and

In overall operation the barbell lock collar operates to retain a weightplate on a barbell bar by converting an axial force applied in thedirection of the bar's long ward orientation to a radial force to moveand engage brake shoes (or equivalently “pads” or “brake pads”) tocontact the outer surface of the barbell. Since internal levers areutilized to actuate the brake shoes force multiplication is possible,resulting in little force needing to be applied to engage the brakeshoes. Also, the repulsive and attractive force of magnets may be usedto engage the brake pads. A visual indicator provides verification thatthe pads are engaging the bar to hold the weight plates in place. Agreen (or equivalent) band may become visible to show a locked positionand a red (or equivalent) band to indicate an un-locked or loosenedstate.

FIGS. 2-5 show the appearance of the barbell lock collar 100 in anincline view and various orthographic projection views.

FIG. 2 shows an inclined view of a barbell lock collar 100. The barbelllock collar 100 may include a top hub 121 and a bottom hub 119 that ismade from two identical hub pieces 120 coupled together, typically byscrews (not shown) or equivalent. A sleeve 118 encircles the joined hubs119, 121, and is slidably coupled to the top 121 and bottom 119 hubs120. The slide moves in an axial direction 154. A label 126 may bedisposed on the top hub 119 that covers recesses in which screws (notshown) are disposed. A base pad 124 which may be disposed on bottom hub120 covers recesses in which screws (not shown) are disposed. The sideof the bottom hub 119 with the base pad 124 is the side of the barbelllock collar 100 that is typically designated to be positioned againstthe weights (not shown). When positioned with the base pad mountedagainst the weights the barbell lock collar 100 provides an indicatingcolor to show when the barbell lock collar 100 is engaged, or disengagedto a barbell. In the examples described below red (or an equivalentalternate color) indicates disengagement, and green (or an equivalentalternate color) indicates engagement.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the barbell lock collar 100. A section lineA-A indicates the sectional view shown in FIG. 8. In this example threepads 104 are visible and distributed evenly around the center apertureof the barbell lock collar 100. The section line cuts through the centerof one of the pads, which will provide a clear cross sectional view ofthe mechanism driving the pads, as all three mechanisms are typicallyidentical.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the barbell lock collar 100.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the barbell lock collar 100 which is thesame as the left view, and the right view.

FIG. 6 shows an edge view of the barbell lock collar 100 in the lockedposition, and installed on a barbell 136 to retain a weight 138. Abarbell lock collar 100 is disposed against a weight 138 being securedon a barbell 136. A base pad 124 rests against the weight 138. Thebarbell lock collar 100 has been locked in place by moving the sleeve118 in the axial direction shown 117. In the locked position a greencircumferential band 122 is visible. The green circumferential band istypically disposed around bottom hub 119. A circumferential red band 123is likewise disposed about the top hub 121. In the locked positionsleeve 118 covers the hidden red band 123, while exposing the green band122 that indicates a locked state.

When the sleeve 118 is moved axially engagement or disengagement isachieved and an appropriate color indication for engagement ordisengagement is provided which is visible to a user. In the lockedposition shown the sleeve 118 has been moved 117 away from the weight138, which exposes a green band 122, and covers up a red band 123.

FIG. 7 shows an edge view of the barbell lock collar in the un-lockedposition. A barbell lock collar 100 is being removed from a weight 138on a barbell 136. The barbell lock collar 100 has been un-locked bymoving the sleeve 118 in the axial direction shown 115 towards theweights. In the un-locked position a red circumferential band 123 isvisible. The red circumferential band 123 is typically disposed aroundtop hub 121. A circumferential green band 122 is likewise disposed aboutthe lower hub 119. In the un-locked position sleeve 118 is moved tocover the hidden green band 122, exposing the red band indicating theun-locked state.

When the sleeve 118 is moved 115 engagement or disengagement is achievedand an appropriate color indication for engagement or disengagement isprovided which is visible to a user. In the un-locked position shown thesleeve 118 has been moved 115 towards the weight 138, which exposes ared band 123, and covers up a green band 122.

In alternative examples the motions for locking and un-locking thebarbell lock collar may be swapped as easily as by flipping the collaron the barbell with the label 126 and base pad 124 positions beingexchanged. In further alternative examples other combinations may becontemplated utilizing the locking mechanism described herein.

FIG. 8 shows a shows a cross sectional view A-A of the barbell lockcollar 100 of FIG. 3 in an un-locked or disengaged position (red bandshowing). The cross section chosen advantageously shows the internalmechanisms of one of the three brake assemblies. Each of the three brakeassemblies 102 is typically identically constructed, and typicallyidentically actuated. The brake assembly 102 typically includes a mount108, a shoe 106, two hinges 110, a toggle 114, a pin 112, a pad 104, andtwo magnets 116. In alternative examples any desired number of brakeassemblies may be utilized. Brake pads 104 of each of the three brakeassemblies 102 move in unison when the sleeve 118 is actuated, causingeach of the three brake pads 104 to either move towards, or away from abarbell (not shown) that may be disposed in the center aperture 142, ascontrolled by the position of sleeve 118.

Sleeve 118 may be pushed towards the weights 142 to loosen the barbelllock collar from a barbell (not shown) in the center aperture 142.Disengagement is caused by action of a protrusion 134 (one protrusion isprovided for each brake assembly 102) located on the sleeve 118, whichcomes in contact against a toggle 114 The toggle 114 in turn swings inthe mount 106 that is hingedly coupled to a shoe 106/pad 104combination, moving the shoe (and its pad) away from the barbell. Afirst end of the toggle may contact a protrusion 134 of the sleeve 118,and a second end of the toggle may contact the shoe 106.

Mount 108 includes a toggle 114, with an attached pin 112. The toggle114 may be made from 6061 aluminum or equivalent. The pin 112 may bemade from steel or equivalent material. The toggle/pin combination maybe pivotally coupled to the mount 108. The mount 108 is fixed in itsposition between hubs 119, 121. The mount may be made from ABS plasticor an equivalent material.

Shoe 106 moves relative to the fixed mount 108. The second end of toggle114 contacts a recess in the shoe 106 and moves the shoe 106 from sideto side. The shoe 106 may be coupled to the mount 108 by a pair ofhinges 110. The shoe 106 is coupled via hinges 110 allowing the shoe 106to move from side to side, while the mount 108 remains in a fixedposition between the hubs. In the disengaged position (with the red bandshowing) the position of the hinges is at an angle moving the shoe 106away from a barbell (not shown). The shoe may be made from ABS plasticor an equivalent material.

Two hinges 110 are shown that couple the brake shoe 106 to the mount108, however it is possible that other equivalent hinge assemblies mightbe constructed to transform the linear motion of the collar to an axialforce to hold a plurality of brake shoes/pads against the bar. Thehinges may be made from steel, or an equivalent material.

Pad 104 is attached to an exterior surface of the shoe 106. Pad 104 maybe made from rubber or an equivalent material. When locked, the pad 104contacts the barbell (not shown) and tends to provide holding power tokeep the barbell lock collar in place.

In unlock the hinges 110 are positioned to a greater angle due to themotion of the toggle 114. As the toggle 114 pivots about the pin 112,motion of the first end of the toggle towards the weights (caused by theprotrusion contacting the first end of the toggle 114), causes thesecond end of the toggle to move away from the weights. The second endof the toggle contacts the shoe 106, moving it away from the weights aswell. Before release the hinges were positioned in a more verticalarrangement than shown.

Movement of the brake shoes may be aided by four magnets 116. Twomagnets are disposed in opposite ends of the shoe 106. Each of thesemagnets are paired with generally adjacent magnets disposed in each hub119, 121. The magnets at the bottom hub 119 are oriented to attract eachother. The magnets 116 at the top hub are oriented to repel each other.The positions of the paired magnets are such that theattractive/repulsive forces of the magnets may interact with each otheraiding actuation of the barbell lock collar. In particular theattractive/repulsive forces of the magnets aid with the initialengagement of the pads with the barbell. The magnets may be made fromneodymium or equivalent material.

The top hub 121 and bottom hub 119 are made from typically identical hubpieces 120. The sleeve 118 is captive between the top 121 and bottom 119hubs. The sleeve 118 may be maintained in place by ridges 140 on eachhub that the sleeve 118 slides between. The hubs 120 may include slotsor grooves in their outer circumference in which the red band 123 andgreen band 122 may be disposed.

FIG. 9 a shows a cross sectional view of the barbell lock collar in thelocked position showing component movement to lock the barbell lockcollar. The components are as previously described for FIG. 1; howeverthe positions are different due to the present locked position beingdescribed.

Sleeve 118 may be pushed away from the weights 142 to tighten thebarbell lock collar against a barbell (not shown) typically disposed inthe center aperture 142. Engagement is caused by as the protrusion 134(one protrusion is provided for each brake assembly 102) located on thesleeve 118, passes the toggle 114. Since the toggle is not contactingthe protrusion as much the attractive and repulsive forces of themagnets tend to help push the shoe/pad towards the center of theaperture. The toggle 114 in turn swings the mount 106 that is hingedlycoupled to a shoe 106/pad 104 combination, moving the shoe (and its pad)towards the barbell. A first end of the toggle may contact a reducedthickness protrusion 134 of the sleeve 118, and a second end of thetoggle may contact a shoe 106. When the sleeve is pulled away from theweights, the sleeve releases the toggle and allows the pads to swinginto the barbell under spring force or bias caused by the magnets.

Shoe 106 moves relative to the fixed mount 108. The second end of toggle114 contacts a recess in the shoe and moves the shoe from side to side.The shoe 106 may be coupled to the mount 108 by a pair of hinges 110.The shoe 106 is coupled via hinges 110 allowing the shoe 106 to movefrom side to side, while the mount 108 remains in a fixed position. Inthe engaged position (with the green band showing) the position of thehinges is generally vertical moving the shoe 106 towards from a barbell(not shown).

In the locked position the hinges 110 are substantially vertical. In theun-locked position the hinges 110 are at less of a vertical positionthan in the locked position. As the hinges 110 are tilted towardsvertical, this movement causes the moveable pad 104/shoe 106 piece tomove towards the weights.

In the locked position the hinges 110 are positioned to a lesser anglefrom vertical due to the motion of the toggle 114. As the toggle 114pivots about the pin 112, motion of the first end of the toggle awayfrom the weights, causes the second end of the toggle to move awaytowards the weights. The second end of the toggle contacts the shoe 106,moving it towards the weights as well. Before locking the hinges werepositioned in a less vertical arrangement than shown.

Movement of the brake shoes in locking may be especially aided by fourmagnets 116. Attracting and repulsive forces of the magnets tends toprovide for the initial engagement of the pads with the barbell. Whenforce is applied from the weights side of the barbell lock collar,towards the collar the pads that are being held against the barbell bythe attractive/repulsive forces of the magnets tend to tighten the padsfurther against the barbell.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of the barbell lock collar 100. Threemagnets 116 are pressed/attached to the bottom hub 119 into receivingcavities. Three brake assemblies 102 are inserted into cavities in thebottom hub 119. A sleeve is then assembled onto the bottom hub 119.slots 132 in the bottom hub 119 are matched to protrusions (not shown)on the inside of the sleeve 118.

In the top hub 121 three magnets 116 are pressed/attached to the top hub121 into receiving cavities. The top hub 121 is inserted into the sleeve118 with the slots 132 of the top hub positioned to accommodate theprotrusions (134 of FIG. 17) on the inside of the sleeve 118.

The top hub 121 and the bottom hub 119 are both identical parts-hub 120.Screws 128 may be used to attach the top hub 121 to the bottom hub 119.Typically three screws extend through the top hub 121 into the bottomhub 119, and three screws extend through the bottom hub 119 into the tophub 121. The screws utilized are typically self tapping or theirequivalent. In alternative examples a different number of screws may beused, and alternatively the screws may all enter from the same side ofeither the bottom hub 119, or the top hub 121. In further alternativeexamples equivalent fastening methods other than screws may be utilized.Screws 128 are typically made from stainless steel or an equivalentmaterial.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of one of the three brake assemblies 102 ofthe barbell lock collar 100. Two hinges 110 have rounded ends that areinserted into receptacles in the shoe 106 and the mount 108, whichhingedly couples the mount 108 to the shoe 106. Guide tabs 144 are atopposite ends of the mount 108. The guide tabs are provided to positionthe mount in a matching slot in the hub (FIG. 19A). The toggle 114 andpin 112 are disposed into a recess (not shown) in the mount 108. Twomagnets 116 are disposed at opposite ends of the shoe 116. A pad 104 isattached to a face of the shoe 106 utilizing glue, adhesive, or thelike.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of the hub and brake assembly 102 of thebarbell lock collar. Pin 112 is disposed in toggle 114. The pin 112 andtoggle 114 combination are disposed in recess 145 of the mount 108, withan end of the toggle 114 protruding through the recess 145.

Shoe 106 includes an aperture 147 in which the end of the toggle rests.The shoe 106 also includes two magnets 116 disposed in round apertures148 in the shoe 106. A curved pad 104 is attached to the shoe 106 alongits curved face.

A pair of hinges 110 couple the shoe 106 to the mount 108. Rounded endsof each hinge are disposed in matching recess in each of the mount 108and shoe 106. A gap is provided in the hinges for toggle clearance 148.

FIGS. 13A-F shows an orthographic projection drawing of the shoe 106 ofthe brake assembly of the barbell lock collar. The FIGs. show thelocation of the round apertures 148 that accept the magnets (116 of FIG.12), and the rectangular aperture 147, as well as other details of theshoe construction.

FIGS. 14 A-F shows an orthographic projection drawing of the mount 108of the brake assembly of the barbell lock collar. The FIGs. show theguide tabs 144 formed at each end of the mount 108. The guide tabs 144may be curved as shown and are configured to be inserted into a matchingrecess in each of the top hub (121 of FIG. 10) and bottom hub (119 ofFIG. 10). Also shown are further details of the recess 145 that acceptsthe toggle (114 of FIG. 12) and pin (112 of FIG. 12). The receptacles146 that accept the hinges (110 of FIG. 12) are shown in further detail.In particular each of the two receptacle 146 shown include a let outportion on one side that controls the movement of the hinges (110 ofFIG. 12) disposed in the receptacles 146.

FIG. 15 shows a sectional side view of a brake assembly of the barbelllock collar in an un-locked position. This simplified view shows therecess 145 and the aperture 147, and the positioning of the pin 112 andtoggle 114 therein when unlocked.

FIG. 16 shows a sectional side view of a brake assembly of the barbelllock collar in a locked position. Locking advantageously utilizesmagnetic forces as shown.

In locking the barbell lock collar the magnet in the top hub 121 and itsadjacent magnet in the shoe are oriented so that their poles are inopposite direction to each other, in other words the poles facing eachother are either north to north, or south to south, This orientation ofthe magnets creates a repulsive force 149 pushing the shoe 106 towardsthe weights.

In locking the barbell lock collar the magnet in the bottom hub 119 andits adjacent magnet in the shoe are oriented so that their poles are inthe same direction as each other, in other words the poles facing eachother that are either north to south, or south to south to north, Thisorientation of the magnets creates an attractive force 150 pulling theshoe 106 towards the weights.

In this position the toggle 114 has moved so that a portion of itextends beyond the mount 108. This positioning of the toggle sets up thebrake assembly 102 for retracting or un-locking the pads 104 byactuating the protruding toggle 114 with the sleeve (118 of FIG. 8).

FIG. 17 shows a top view of the sleeve 118 of the barbell lock collar.There are three protrusions 134 equally spaced about the interior of thesleeve 118. A cross section providing further detail of the protrusions134 is indicated by section line B-B.

FIG. 18 shows section view B-B of the sleeve. Protrusions 134 have anasymmetric cross section to facilitate engagement/disengagement via thesleeve (118 of FIG. 17). The cross section is characterized by a gradualincline on a first side followed by a substantially flat section, endingon a second side in an incline having a steeper slope than the inclineof the first side.

FIGS. 19A-C shows a three view drawing of the hub 120. As previouslynoted the hub 120 is used in two locations, as a top hub 121, and abottom hub 119. Three magnets 116 are disposed in the bottom of thethree brake pockets 130. Three brake assemblies (102 of FIG. 11) areinstalled in the three brake pockets 130. The toggle (114 of FIG. 11) ofeach of the brake assemblies is positioned to fit in the groves 132about the circumference of the hub 120.

Two hubs are typically joined together with steel self tapping screws orequivalent joining devices. Three screws typically pass throughclearance holes a first hub into pilot holes in the second hub. Threeadditional screws then extend through the clearance holes in the secondhub into pilot holes in the first hub. Prior to joining the hubs thesleeve (118 of FIG. 8) will have been installed between the hubs, withits protrusions aligned with the slots 132.

Those skilled in the art will realize that the process sequencesdescribed above may be equivalently performed in any order to achieve adesired result. Also, sub-processes may typically be omitted as desiredwithout taking away from the overall functionality of the processesdescribed above.

1. A barbell lock collar for securing a weight on a barbell comprising:a first hub including: at least one first hub brake pocket; at least onemagnet disposed in the first hub brake pocket; a second hub attached tothe first hub including: at least one second hub brake pocket; at leastone magnet disposed in the second hub brake pocket; at least one brakeassembly disposed in the first hub brake pocket, and the second brakepocket; a sleeve encircling the first and second hub, and including atleast three protrusions positioned to actuate the brake assembly.
 2. Thebarbell lock collar for securing a weight on a barbell of claim 1,further comprising a green band disposed in a groove of the first hub 3.The barbell lock collar for securing a weight on a barbell of claim 1,further comprising a red band disposed in a groove of the second hub 4.The barbell lock collar for securing a weight on a barbell of claim 1,further comprising a label disposed on a flat surface of the second hub5. The barbell lock collar for securing a weight on a barbell of claim1, further comprising a base pad disposed on a flat surface of the firsthub
 6. The barbell lock collar for securing a weight on a barbell ofclaim 1, in which there are three brake assemblies, three first hubbrake pockets, and three second hub brake pockets.
 7. The barbell lockcollar for securing a weight on a barbell of claim 1, in which the brakeassembly includes: a mount having top and bottom guide tabs, and anaperture including a toggle with a pin pivotally coupled to the mount,the toggle protruding through an aperture; a shoe having an aperture forreceiving an end of the toggle a first hinge coupling the mount to theshoe a second hinge parallel to the first hinge coupling the mount tothe shoe a first magnet disposed in the shoe a second magnet disposed inthe shoe a pad attached to the shoe
 8. A barbell lock collar thatinstalls axially on a barbell bar comprising: a sleeve for applying anaxially directed pressure; a hub and brake assembly including: a hubincluding actuators for converting an axial force to a radial force; aplurality of curved shoes on the interior of the hub engage or disengagethrough radial motion of the curved shoes.
 9. The barbell lock collarthat installs axially on a barbell bar of claim 8 further comprising avisual indicator to show if the barbell lock collar is engaged ordisengaged.